Australia IDAHO Report 2013

In Sydney highlights included the the distribution of the 2013 IDENTITY Catalogue – which represents sexually diverse multicultural minority groups, and the launch of the Your Own Safety Campaign. In Melbourne, activists staged a Die-In for the Global Rainbow Flashmob. More than 20 events were held for IDAHO 2013 in the City of Greater Geelong, including at 12 schools. The city’s Mayor raised the rainbow flag and hosted morning tea at City Hall, whilst Geelong’s LGBT young people organised a mini Queer Film Festival. In Ballarat, LGBT young people produced and launched a special Iphone app for IDAHO, and created a ‘rainbow brick road’ which led guests into the local Ballarat library for live music and theatre. The Australian Football League Players Association also launched a campaign called #Footy4IDAHO, which focuses on ending the use of homophobic language.
Sydney
From organisers: ‘In Sydney we will be commemorating IDAHO with the distribution of the 2013 IDENTITY Catalogue representing sexually diverse multicultural minority groups both locally and internationally and the launch of the YOUR OWN SAFETY Campaign. Pick up a your free copy of the catalogue on May 17 at: Ultimo TAFE Student Association, Building Z level 1 – Mary Ann Street, Ultimo NSW 2007. Ultimo TAFE is a place for all members of the community to learn and grow in safety and respect. Nick Baldas in partnership with Ultimo TAFE Students Association.’

From the catalogue – which can be viewed online in full here.

For more details on these initiatives please see: http://www.nickbaldas.com.au/blog/
Melbourne
In Melbourne a small group of activists staged a Flashmob Die-In action on May 17. 18:00 – 18:15. The organisers advised in the lead up to the event: ‘The Melbourne IDAHOT Flashmob this year will take place at 6pm on Friday 17th May 2013 at a secret location opposite Flinders Street Station to “dropyear is t dead” and commemorate those who have died due to homophobia and transphobia.’
As this was a Rainbow Die-in, the organizers encouraged everyone to wear as much colour as possible and, if possible, to drop dead in the colours of the rainbow.
You can see the video here:
Geelong
In total more than 20 events were held for IDAHO 2013 in the City of Greater Geelong, including at 12 schools. The City hosted a flag raising on Tuesday 14 May at 9:30 at Johnston Park, followed by morning tea at City Hall. The Mayor officially raised the flag with support from Councillor Jan Farrell.
On May 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 the gasp project (Geelong Asolescent Sexuality Project hosted a mini Queer Film Festival with two movies from the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, the films were Monster Pies (Australian film) and Mosquita Yi Maria. The director from Monster Pies was present for a Q and A at the end.
Amongst other events, a “Headspace Barwon IDAHO event!” took place on 17th May 2013 – a small scale event outside the busy shopping centre in Geelong Central.
Organisers advised about the level of organisation in the city, “The gasp project has received 24 applications for funding to run events during the week of IDAHO, this is 11 more than last year, so the message of celebrating diversity is really getting out there and there are many schools and organisations who want to do stuff… it is very exciting!!!” More information about the GASP project can be found here & on facebook.
You can see a video of events in Geelong here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XT7R2BZTPLM%3Ffeature%3Doembed
Ballarat
Members of the LGBT Youth Group, Zaque Ballarat, elaborated on a new Iphone app to provide SSASGD young people with knowledge and resources. On May 17^th, a specific event was held to mark IDAHO. A rainbow brick road led guests into the local library for live music, theatre and most importantly the launch of the exciting Queer-Y app! For more info (times, places, etc.) log onto: http://www.youthservicesballarat.com.au
Blue Mountains
A Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony took place in The Blue Mountains Australia. The  day began with a free breakfast, music, speeches, followed by the Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony outside The Blue Mountains City Council building in Katoomba NSW. Find out more on www.pinkmountains.com.au

Australian Football League Players Association campaign launched: #Footy4IDAHO

The AFL Players Association explained in a statement launching the campaign on May 17:
‘Luke Ball, Jobe Watson, Lenny Hayes, Drew Petrie, Scott Pendlebury and Brock McLean are just a few of the AFL’s biggest names leading a player-driven campaign to tackle the issue of homophobia in sport, ahead of IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia) on Friday 17 May.
The AFL Players’ Association has today launched #Footy4IDAHO, a social media campaign targeting the use of homophobic language. The campaign includes a series of videos featuring AFL players taking a pledge to stamp out the use of homophobic language, while also raising awareness of the damaging effects it can have within sport and the community.
Players and fans are asked to make the following pledge:
“I’m taking the pledge to never use homophobic language. Think before you speak, it’s time to stop shirking the issue.” #FOOTY4IDAHO’
The AFL Players Association also created this video, which features ‘Carlton footballer Brock McLean, who spoke out earlier this year in support of his sister who is gay, has been one of the key drivers of this campaign. McLean was motivated to speak out against homophobia in sport after seeing how his sister was treated when she came out.’:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kwRdOKlhJRs%3Ffeature%3Doembed
For more information:

• News & events related to May 17 in Australia: ‘International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Australia‘ on facebook.
• News & events for May 17 in Sydney: IDAHO Sydney on facebook.
• AFL Players Association: ‘AFL Players ask fans not to shirk the issue‘
• City of Greater Geelong: ‘Geelong Raises Rainbow Flag for IDAHO Day‘.
• City of Greater Geelong: ‘You Are Beautiful – Let’s Celebrate IDAHO